Weekly Update-June 10, 2015
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Tuesday, 5:00pm
To include information in the next Weekly Update, send an email with your brief announcement (in Arial 9 pt font if possible) to EBlastManager@OrlandoUU.org no later than Tuesday, 5:00pm. Please remember to include both the start time and location for events. Check the 1U website calendar for information on all our events! Please read the “Plan Ahead” section below for upcoming events as registration or RSVP deadlines may require immediate action if you plan to attend.
Temporary Alternate 1U Web Site: https://1uweb.wordpress.com
News Flash!
This Sunday: Lois Cole Farewell Luncheon PLUS Food Pantry Push
This Sunday, come wish Ministerial Intern Lois “happy trails”
as she leaves 1U to take the next step on her ministerial path.
And
Support the Food Pantry in meeting rapidly increasing needs.
(Details in Other News)
Friday – June 12
Black Cat Café – 7:30pm, Gore Hall
Come out for this open-mic coffeehouse; share and enjoy great music, poetry, stories, dance & more! All are welcome! Entertainment until 10:30pm: $2 donation. More info:email or visit on the Web.
Saturday – June 13
Sunday – June 14
Service – 11:00am, Sanctuary (Summer Schedule: One service thru 9/13/15)
Intergenerational Flower Communion, Rev. Kathy Schmitz & Lois Cole
Bring a flower from garden, shop, or field to add to our beautiful bouquet representing the congregation’s diversity. Two of our graduating high school seniors will share their reflections. Both the Chalice Choir & Welkin will perform. Pot luck lunch follows.
Children’s Religious Education
9:15am-12:15pm Nursery for ages 9 months thru 4 years. (EC Room 14)
9:30am-10:30am Childcare During RE (Children ages 5-12 are welcome in the Nursery-EC Room 14)
11:00am-11:15am Children begin in Worship (Sanctuary)
11:15am-12:15pm Childcare During Worship for children ages 4-14 (EC Assembly Room)
Contact DRE Regina Knabe for more information: RECoordinator@OrlandoUU.org.
If you have a child participating in the Children’s RE program please join our Facebook group & stay informed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1UChildrensReligiousEducation/
Adult Religious Education (All sessions are drop-in friendly!)
9:30am in the Library: Special Film & Discussion with members of the film’s production team
“Filthy Dreamers” is about the battle over teaching evolution at Florida State College for Women in the 1920s. (trailer)
The Adult RE full schedule can be found at https://1uweb.wordpress.com under the Learning tab.
Monday – June 15
Parents of Adult Children Monthly Discussion Group – 7:00-8:30pm, Hiett Library
When our children become adults, we need to renegotiate our relationships. This can be tricky, especially in a world that offers many obstacles to economic stability for our young adults. This group offers parents a place to reflect on our relationship(s) with our now-adult children and to support one another in ensuring ensure healthy and enriching relationships for all. Rev. Kathy facilitates on the third Monday of each month. All are welcome.
Tuesday – June 16
The Alliance – 10:30am, Gore Hall
This Tuesday members will meet to make sandwiches for the Coalition for the Homeless. During lunch at noon, Joan Erwin will share some insight into the League of Women Voters, a group which does great work in educating voters on the issues before us and highlighting issues which could jeopardize fair voting.
We also look forward to next week, June 13, when Charles Davis, another 1U member, will join us to lead a discussion on race relations in our time.
The Alliance welcomes all to its meetings and its work in the community. We meet each Tuesday, share a bag lunch (or eat out) and work on the Continuing Bazaar, our main fund raiser for our investments in the community.
Yoga Class – 6:00pm, Gore Hall
Come be a part of a wonderful journey as we share one breath, one body, one mind at 1U. Class is open to all.
Folk Ensemble – 7:30pm, Enrichment Center Assembly Room
Everyone welcome. No particular skill level needed. If you enjoy sing-alongs, please join us.
Band Practice – 7:00pm, Sanctuary
Welkin practice.
Wednesday – June 17
Choir Practice – 7:00pm, Sanctuary
The Chalice Choir is on summer break until September.
Thursday – June 18
Meditation Group – 7:00pm, Gore Hall
An open, ongoing meditation group offered free of charge each week. All are welcome, no registration required.
Other News
Food Pantry Need Growing – Please Help! (Bring something this Sunday with your flowers and pot luck dishes)
There is an increasing, urgent need for food at the pantry we support. Here is a list of the most-needed items:
- canned goods, including:
- meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
- soups (beef stew, chicken noodle, etc.)
- veggies (green beans, corn, etc.)
- fruit (peaches, pears, etc.)
- pasta (whole wheat)
- rice and beans
- dry cereal
- shelf stable milk
- peanut butter
Items that are easy for children to open are preferred and no glass items, please. Please gather what you can and bring it with you on Sunday. The box is in Gore Hall. Thanks for your continued generosity.
Pledge Reminder
The church fiscal year ends on June 30. All those who have not yet completed their Operating Budget pledge for the fiscal year are urged to do so by June 30. To help us credit your pledge payment properly, please note in the memo field of your check whether your payment is for the current fiscal year (7/1/2014-6/30/2015) or the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). If there is no designation, payments received will be credited to the current fiscal year.
If you are making a pledge payment for the Capital Campaign (aka Building the Dream), please note that in the memo field of your check.
Not sure if your pledge is paid-in-full, still need to make a pledge, or have a question about your pledge? Contact Amy in the church office (churchadministrator@orlandouu.org or 407-898-3621).
Building the Dream New Campus News
Challenge Grant and Capital Campaign
Thanks to everyone who increased their pledge or gave a new pledge during our Challenge Grant period. Because of your actions, we raised $20,000 more and that amount was matched by two congregation members for a total of $40,000. That puts our total Capital Campaign pledge amount at $1,190,000. This puts us past the 99% mark towards our $1.2 Million goal – thank you for your continued support!
Where We Are With Plans
Many of you know we are regrouping with our architects to reduce the cost of the new building. We recently saw preliminary sketches of a different plan which had a one-floor solution for the new Religious Education building. The new layout kept a lot of things that we liked about the original plans and actually has some benefits over the 2-story plan. The architects and contractors are now putting costs to these plans and we will share them as soon as they are within our budget. We’ve also asked for costs for this plan with an option for adding a second floor later. As soon as we have that budget and refined drawings, we will share them with the congregation. This will probably be in July. At that time, we’ll have a better sense of the project timing as well.
Hooray for New Members of the Building the Dream Team
We also have new members on our Building the Dream Team. Dan Homblette is heading up the Construction team with Mike Haddad helping. Tommy Harrison is heading up the Communications team with Karen Ramberg, Jesse Prentice-Bryant, Nicki Drumb and Jeter Walker helping him. John Hartgering is still working on Finance with Ken Lofgren helping and Marty Haynie is still in charge of our Capital Campaign and also very involved with the finances. Christine Haskins is heading up the initiative. We are developing ways to involve other volunteers as well. If you’re interested in applying for a role, please contact bldgcommunications@orlandouu.org or fill out an application at 1ubuildingthedream.wordpress.com.
1U Plans for Next Year
Recently, Rev. Kathy shared emerging plans for next year including key dates and information on themes we will be exploring. She also provided an organization chart for congregation programs. In addition, Dan Homblette shared an overview of plans in the specific areas of social justice and outreach. Take a look and mark your calendar so you don’t miss any of the ways you want to be involved.
Second Annual Father’s Day Slide Show (Deadline June 16, noon)
Want to include your dad in our Father’s Day remembrance? Send your picture to minister@orlandouu.org by noon on Tuesday, June 16. Images will be compiled into a slideshow. You may, if you like, include his name, year of birth and, if relevant, death. Be sure to include how you would like to be listed. “Alternative” fathers and like-a-fathers are welcome but be sure to indicate how you would like them listed. Examples: “Dan Jones (1936- ), like a father to me, Sylvia Brown.” “Joe LeBlanc (1920-1998), My Dad, Julio LeBlanc.” Photos submitted last year will be used this year unless we hear from you.
Minister’s Summer Schedule
In addition to regular travels for General Assembly and vacation, Rev. Kathy is planning to take a month of sabbatical time this summer. She expects to be away from the congregation from June 17-August 14 (inclusive). Time away will include cross country train travel, time with grandchildren, a visit to New England, some puttering, some organizing, and some rest. Excellent coverage for worship and pastoral care is in place. Planning for next year’s programs is already underway.
Are You Welcoming? Extra Hands Needed!
Are you looking for an easy way to be of service at 1U? How about helping make members and guests feel welcome, as you were when you first attended? Welcome Team tasks range from greeting folks to handing out Orders of Service through collecting the offering to making coffee. All directions for each task are provided. Most Welcome Team members sign up to serve at one service a month. Consider being part of one of the most enjoyable teams in 1U! Contact Kathy Homblette for more details at Fellowship@orlandouu.org.
Plan Ahead
June 24-28 – UUA General Assembly, Portland, Oregon
Registration: $350 for adults, $205 for youth (grades 9-12) at http://www.uua.org/ga/registration.
June 25 – Solar Co-op Meeting, 7:00-9:00pm, First United Methodist Church of Winter Park
Open to homeowners with single family residences in Orlando and Winter Park, another Solar Co-op Information Meeting is slated this month. For more information, contact Mary Dipboye, Joan and Jim Erwin and Michael Cohen or email cfsolaradvocates@gmail.com.
July 26 – 1U Blood Drive, 10:00am-12:30pm, Red Bus in 1U Parking Lot
Our schedule for blood drives has slightly changed, due to low donor turnout. Let’s do all we can to donate, or find a friend to bring that can give! Thank you for your willingness to give. Each unit can save up to 3 lives–right here in the Orlando area. Questions: blooddrive@orlandouu.org.
August 1 – Second Harvest Food Sorting & Packing Project, 1:00-4:00pm, 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando
Must wear closed toed shoes. Students over the age of 10 may attend with parent or guardian. Short training occurs before each session, so please join us at any time! Willingness to enjoy yourself and recognize the good you are doing are the only other requirements. For info, contact Steph at foodbank@orlandoUU.org.
Ongoing Activities, Needs & Resources
Missed a Sunday?
Audio recordings for most Sunday sermons are online here. Just click and listen.
1st Sunday of the Month Fellowship
1U members and friends gather in various parts of Orlando (Winter Park, East of the 417, Downtown, West Orlando, South Orlando, so far) for neighborhood connections. These are opportunities for social interactions, a meal and/or beverage, and the chance to expand relationships. Unlike “DInner with Friends,” groups are meeting at neighborhood restaurants, not individual homes. If you are interested in learning more or to find a group near you, contact Kathy Homblette at Fellowship@orlandouu.org. Times and locations vary.
Join Justice GoogleGroup
Did you receive an e-mail that gives you information so you can attend, march, protest, support, or learn about an activity that may appreciate your 1U involvement? To get immediate messages or a daily summary, and to share Social Justice Events and information in central Florida and beyond that you learn about, join 1U Justice googlegroup. Email your request to join, including the name and e-mail address you want used.
Pastoral Care Associates
Pastoral Care Associates are fellow 1U members who have been especially trained to provide a confidential, caring presence to congregants undergoing stressful life challenges. Through this minister-extending program, members can receive compassionate care when they are in pain, sick, lonely or struggling with changes. It can be comforting to know you’re not alone and it helps to have someone from 1U’s faith community listen, care, and offer support. If you are in need, contact our Pastoral Care Associates Coordinator Harriett Smithson.
1U Caring Circle
Members of the Caring Circle offer kind, practical, tangible efforts to other church members who may be experiencing significant joys, concerns, sorrows, or changes in their lives. Monthly contact people follow up on Joys and Concerns expressed in Sunday worship, as well as notices from the minister or other church members, about short-term circumstances that may need attention. Other members serve in providing phone calls, greeting cards, rides to church events, medical appointments, meals for a while, pet care, etc. Please contact our Caring Circle coordinator Jenny Lockington at CaringCircle@OrlandoUU.org for details or to participate.
The Best Way to Know What Is Going On Around 1U – This Weekly Update
The Weekly Update is posted to the 1U website by Thursday of each week. An email reminder is then sent to the members and visitors who have provided their email addresses. If you are not receiving the weekly email reminder, please contact ChurchAdministrator@orlandouu.org. A reminder is also posted to the 1U facebook page.
Become a Home Hospitality Host
On occasion, 1U has the opportunity to host other UUs for events like District Assembly, Choir Festival, District meetings, and other events. Some of our fellow UUs who come into town for a day or two to join us and/or use our facilities appreciate being welcomed into our homes for the night to cut down on hotel expense while getting to know us. If you have space in your home to host a guest or two, please consider joining in this Hospitality offering! Email 1uhomehospitality@gmail.com to be added to our database to be contacted about opportunities as they arise.
Board Minutes Available
Approved Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes are available to members on the 1U Transitional Website. Click here to access the BOT Minutes area, then scroll to the month you’re interested in. Minutes through April 2015 are now available.
Fair Trade Goods Every Sunday – Noon, Gore Hall
Fair Trade coffee and other goods are available every Sunday at the back of Gore Hall after the 11:00 service. Sales of coffee, chocolate and tea benefit small independent growers, UUSC and our church. Think about these as thoughtful gifts.
Say Hello to Sustainable Shopping at thegoodbuy.com
Say good-bye to shopping that’s bad for workers and the earth. Proceeds from the Good Buy underwrite human rights programs around the world through the UUSC, so you can make a difference with each purchase.
Northeast Cluster Breeze
Read how other Florida congregations are doing “church” on their campuses and in their communities at neclusterfloridauua.wordpress.com/
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First Unitarian Church of Orlando
Phone: 407-898-3621
Email: webmaster@OrlandoUU.org
Website: http://www.facebook.com/orlandouu
Minister: Reverend Kathy Schmitz
Minister’s Email: minister@orlandouu.org
Minister’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/revkathyschmitz
Minister’s Blog: http://growinginplace.wordpress.com
1U Web 